Must see attractions in Réunion

This sugar refinery is on the coast 3km north of St-André. During the cane harvest (July to early December) visitors are shown around the huge, high-tech plant, following the process from the delivery of the cut...

Boucan Canot's main beach has been listed as one of Réunion's best, and once you get a glimpse of the gentle curve of the bright white sand, lined with palms and casuarina trees and framed with basalt rocks and...

You've reached the end of the world! The Plaine des Sables is a wide windswept plain, made of ashes. With its lunar landscape, it could form a perfect backdrop for a new version of Mad Max. From the Pas des...

Plage des Roches Noires, in the heart of town, is crowded and neatly striped with sunbeds and parasols, but, beneath all this, it remains an attractive stretch of beach excellent for families, with shallow waters...

In April 2007, in one of the most violent eruptions ever recorded, an impressive lava flow was formed, about 2km north of Pointe du Tremblet. The road was cut off for several months. It's a primal experience to...

It would be a sin to visit Les Makes and not take the forest road that leads to this viewpoint, another 10km further uphill. The view over the entire Cirque de Cilaos and the surrounding craggy summits that jab...

From the viewpoint at Pas de Bellecombe (2311m), the 'entrance' to the volcanic area, you'll be rewarded with mesmerising views of the volcano and its outer crater, known as Enclos Fouqué. The very photogenic,...

A great surprise! In October 2015, the innovative Musée des Musiques et Instruments de l'Océan Indien welcomed its first visitors, showcasing hundreds of musical instruments from Africa, India, China and...

Réunion's most beloved museum is dedicated primarily to the sugar industry, but also provides fascinating insights into the history of the island, especially slavery and the colonial era. It includes a...

Everything you need to know about Piton de la Fournaise and volcanoes in general should become clear at the excellent Cité du Volcan. You can expect state-of-the-art facilities and animations, including two...

Temple of Colosse is, by far, the most striking Tamil temple in Réunion. With its brightly painted decor, it's very photogenic. Since it's not open to the public, you’ll have to content yourself with peering...

A narrow road follows the wide stony bed of the Rivière Langevin and leads to Cascade de la Grande Ravine, a majestic waterfall that drops into a broad pool. Admire it from a lookout by the road, about 9km from...

Lined with casuarina trees, Plage de L'Hermitage is an alluring place to fry in the sun. It is safe for swimming – it's protected by a barrier reef and is supervised by lifeguards – and extremely popular on...

About 22km from Bourg-Murat, there's a fabulous viewpoint at Pas des Sables (2360m), from where you can gaze at the barren moonscape that is the Plaine des Sables.

This museum is set in the former home of the wealthy and very powerful Madame Panon-Desbassayns, a coffee and sugar baroness who, among other things, owned 300 slaves. The house, which is only accessible on a...

Entirely modernised in 2014, the Maison de la Broderie is home to an association of 30 or so local women dedicated to keeping Cilaos' embroidery tradition alive. They embroider and sell children's clothes,...

If you need to cool off, the Bassin Boeuf waterfall beckons with its enticing natural pools fringed with stone slabs, ideal for picnicking and sunbathing. Well worth the detour. From Ste-Suzanne, follow the D51...

A blissful site is Bassin La Paix, in the Rivière des Roches valley, about 2.5km west from Bras-Panon (it's signposted). From the car park, a path quickly leads down to a majestic waterfall tumbling into a large...

Very few visitors have heard about Îlet Bethléem, a magical spot by the Rivière des Marsouins that locals would like to keep for themselves. Reached after a 15-minute walk from the car park, it features an old...

Don't miss this ecologically conscious marine and research centre dedicated to sea turtles, about 2km north of St-Leu. It features exhibits, interactive displays and big tanks where you can get a close-up look at...